12

E.—s

The commercial class was again the strongest in the school. During the year the following shorthand certificates were obtained: Speed certificates (fifty words), eight pupils; theory certificates, twenty-seven pupils; elementary certificates, forty-two pupils. A considerable improvement was noticeable in the enthusiasm with which the work in the domestic classes was taken up. 1 am of opinion that (lie lack of interest in domestic work is due to the view of such work taken by the general public. Instead of viewing the work of this Department as a preparation for " domestic service " in the most objectionable sense of the term, people should remember that it is in reality a scientific training for the management of a home. General class: This class was conducted on similar lines to those of former years. Some very good work was done in psychology and handwork. In the Departmental examination in handwork the only successful candidates at the New Plymouth centre were from this class. Five of the students obtained partial passes for Class D. Art work : The work of this class was quite up to the standard of previous years. Specially good work was done in the art craft section (enamelling and leather-work). Evening classes : As mentioned last: year, these classes were composed mainly of compulsory students. These students were fewer in number than previously, owing to the Board's making the compulsory clause inoperative for girls. In addition to the usual classes a small class was held in wireless telegraphy. The students were most enthusiastic. Hawera Technical School. —The day classes were continued at this centre, and the increased numbers were very encouraging. An engineering instructor was appointed, and some very good work was done under very adverse conditions as regards accommodation and equipment. Day classes for commercial subjects, art subjects, and subjects of general education were conducted as in the previous year. The following- examination passes were secured at the end of the year : Matriculation and solicitors' general knowledge, 3; matriculation, 1; partial matriculation, 1; Public Service Entrance, 1; Intermediate, 3. Shorthand passes for the year were : Elementary, 74; theoretical, 57; speed (eighty words), 2. Evening classes attended mainly by compulsory' students were conducted during the year. Stratford Technical Glasses. —The chief feature at this centre was the introduction of compulsory attendance for boys at evening classes. The attendance was fairly satisfactory. The courses of work carried out were : For compulsory students —English, arithmetic, book-keeping, and instrumental drawing; for other students—English, commercial correspondence, preciswriting and commercial methods, shorthand, and dressmaking. Eltham Technical Classes. —At this centre classes were conducted in motor engineering, woodwork, dressmaking, English, arithmetic, book-keeping, and shorthand. At Mangatoki a class was conducted in farm carpentry. Gray Director

WANGANUI DISTRICT. Extract from the Report of the Director of Manual and Technical Instruction. There were on the.staff at the close of the year twenty-one permanent Supervisors, Directors, and instructors, and four temporary instructors. Two instructors were still on military service. Classes were held at Apiti, Asbhurst, Bull's, Bunnythorpe, Feilding, Foxton, Glen Oroua, Ilalcombe, Kiwitea, Marton, Ohakune, Pohangina, Rongotea, Taihape, Utiku, and Wanganui. The enrolments totalled 3,621, and the number of individual students 1,622. There was an increase in the number of pupils who received instruction in electric wiring, carpentry and joinery, cabinetmaking, woodwork, plumbing, mechanical engineering and metal-work, mechanical drawing, chemistry and physics, telegraphy, first aid, home nursing, art needlework, millinery, English, arithmetic, Standard VI subjects, and in the day-school courses. Decreased numbers attended the classes in dressmaking, agriculture and horticulture, motor engineering, chemistry a,nd home science, Latin, French, magnetism and electricity, and steam-engines. The enrolments at the Feilding Technical School were 962. Four of the pupils were discharged soldiers, seventy-five were holders of free places, and eighty attended under the compulsory clause of the Act. Fifteen pupils were awarded senior free places, nine passed the Board's Bookkeeping Examination, seven gained certificates in first aid, three passed the Proficiency and one the Competency Examination. After careful consideration a site of 10 acres for the proposed technical high school was selected at the corner of North and Churcher Streets, The Technical School Committee was successful in raising by means of contributions the money required, £1,000, to purchase the site, and is thus able to hand it over to the Board free of debt. An effort is being made to raise funds for the purchase of a further 10 acres. The Committee is to be congratulated on the success which has attended its efforts, and is assured of the Board's co-operation in the endeavour to provide a technical high school for Feilding and district, and a hostel for the accommodation of country students. Classes in fourteen subjects were held at Marton, the total enrolments being 234. This number is very much lower than in the previous year. A good many boys are employed on farms just outside the district in which the compulsory clause operates. Few paying pupils came forward. Four pupils were awarded senior free places. The buildings were thoroughly renovated and the planting of the grounds continued. Three classes in commercial subjects were conducted at Ohakune, the enrolments being sixtyseven. Four senior free places were awarded.